Chilterns Chalk Stream project appears on ITV Meridian News
Watch again: Professor Kate Heppell of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project on ITV Meridian News at Ewelme Brook.
Chalk streams and the 2022 summer drought
Here’s a replay clip of Professor Kate Heppell of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project talking on ITV Meridian News about the effects of this year’s drought on chalk streams. It was broadcast just over a week ago and filmed at Ewelme Watercress Beds and Nature Reserve.
Kate is the research lead for the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project, on secondment from Queen Mary University of London.
In the news report, Kate highlights the hallmarks of a healthy chalk stream and talks about some of the fish and plant life that chalk streams support. She talks about the effect of the 2022 summer drought, lowering the flows in these streams and affecting water temperatures, sometimes with a devastating effect on wildlife in these threatened habitats. Alongside this important environmental story, there is some fantastic historic footage of watercress production at Ewelme to enjoy.
You can visit Ewelme Watercress beds on their open days, and you can volunteer at the nature reserve.